TWIRLING UNLIMITED 2011 GROUP EVENT RULES

In any event, no group member may compete in another unit in the same category (he/she may not compete against himself/herself.) Occasionally a group competes with fewer than the required number of members, eg. Less than 10 twirling members for a corps or less than 3 members for dance twirl.  In this instance, they will be allowed to perform for exhibition, not competition.  

In each division, a judge must evaluate each group’s performance in terms of a standard.  If judge feels that the performance does not merit a first place designation, a protection rule may be issued and the highest scoring group will receive 2nd place. 

A protection rule may be issued in any division.  

TEAMS – GENERAL RULES

(apply to all team events)

Minimum of 3 members

Ages:  (Avg)    Up to 6.9 -   PeeWee                  11.0 to 13.9 Junior

                           7.0 to 8.9 -  Tiny Tot                14.0 and Up - Senior

                           9.0 to 10.9 – Juvenile

Note: Contestant’s age is determined by their age as of the day of the competition.  

Number of members (for all team events): 3 to 5 members - small

                                                                           6 to 10 members - medium

                                                                           11 and up  - large  

General Penalties:  (assessed for all team events)

    .5 per drop of baton or other equipment                 .1 per unison

    .5 per fall                                                                       .1 per alignment error

    .2 per out of step                                                          .1 per second over or under time  

In all cases where individual music is used, music theme and lyrics should be appropriate for family entertainment.  Music should be on a cassette tape ready to play.  Groups choosing to use a CD should bring their own CD player. A player will be available, but frequently CDs will not play properly  on foreign players – the volume and speed may be seriously affected.  

Level 1 Team

There is no “Beginner” Team Classification in TU.  However, in recognizing that some teams are still at a developmental level, a “Level 1 Team” division is offered in the Dance Twirl event at Regional & International competitions.  Level 1 Teams are restricted in the same manner as Level 1 solos: no member may do more than a one turn, and no more than 2 consecutive elbows.  In addition, no member may do any high toss tricks with illusions or any gymnastics move underneath.This is considered an open event only, contestants do not receive medallions. Teams are permitted to enter both Level 1 and the Regional or International team event, as long as they meet the appropriate restrictions when competing in the Level 1 event.  

Dance Twirl Teams

Groups perform to their own music. Groups using any apparatus other than one baton for more than 30 seconds of their routine should be entered in the Novelty Team category.  Timing begins and ends with music.  If music stops for ANY reason after the first 10 seconds, the performing group may not start over.  

Time Limit: 1:30-3 minutes.                    

Additional penalties:   .1 per break/slip  

Pom Teams

Performed to own music.   Teams must use poms.  Intentional “grounding” of poms is permitted for a short period of time.  Groups may use mounts no more than one tier high in competition.  Any groups using mounts do so with the understanding that they are exclusively responsible in case of injury. No mats are provided. Timing begins and ends with music.  

Time Limit: 1:30- 3:00 

Twirl Teams

Routine is performed to standard march music.  Timing begins with salute by one or more members at starting line and ends with salute by one or more members at the finish line.  Formations and floor coverage are evaluated for the entire routine.  Entrance and Exit are optional.

Time limit: 1:30 to 3 minutes

    Additional Penalties:       Breaks:   .1 per error             Off Pattern:  .1 per error  

Novelty Teams

Performed to own music; timing begins and ends with music. Group will use any equipment except one standard baton but they must include apparatus.  Pompons, Color Guard and Dance Lines are not included in this category.  Judging emphasis is on audience appeal and unison. The focus is on equipment other than one baton, but one baton may be used as a small portion of the novelty routine.  

Time Limit: 1:30 – 3 minutes  

Strut Teams

One baton per member only.  Use own music. Judged on routine content, unison, and ability to stay in step with music. Floor pattern - down the length of the gym once or re-traced line; oblique movements or slight hesitations permitted.  Timing begins with first movement and ends with salute or end of music.  

Time Limit: 1:00 to 3:00  

Duet Strut available as separate event (see individual events listing)

Production Groups 

Minimum 10 members; Age groups same as Teams & Corps

Use Own Music.  Routine incorporates any form of novelty choreographed to music. Baton may be a portion, but the emphasis is on production and entertainment value rather than twirling difficulty. 

Time Limit:  5:00-9:00  

OTHER AUXILIARY EVENTS:

(standard age and group divisions do not apply)  

Majorette Squads:  

Junior High/  High School/  College

Any type of baton work and props permitted. Use own music.

Division determined by school affiliation – all members must attend same school

Time Limit:  up to 4:00 minutes  - short program

                          4:00 to 8:00       - long program

Additional Penalties:  .1 per break/slip  

Color Guard

Ages (Avg.):  Junior: 0-12.9    Senior:  13.0 +

Divisions:  Small  (3-10 members);  Large (11+ members)

Groups perform to music of their own choosing.  Timing begins and ends with music.

Time Limit: Short Program:  up to 4:00 minutes

                       Long Program  4:00 - 8:00  

Solo and Duet Color Guard events available (see individual events listing)  

Drum Ensemble

Ages: (avg.):    Junior:  0-12.9            Senior:  13.0 + over 

Divisions:  Small (3-10 members); Large (11+ members)

Music need not be memorized.

Time Limit: Short Program:  up to 4:00 minutes

                       Long Program  4:00 - 8:00  

Drum Solo event available (see individual events listing)  

Cheerleading may be offered as an exhibition opportunity at a TU competition (other than regional or International).

CORPS - GENERAL RULES  

Maximum set-up time for groups - 5 minutes. Penalty - Judge’s Discretion (5 pts maximum). Entrance is optional. There are 3 classifications of corps competition: Street Parade corps, Mini Corps, and Floor Corps.

These rules apply to all corps, no matter what classification.  

1.  There must be a minimum of 10 baton twirling members.

2.  All corps provide their own music, whether live or recorded.

3.  Age divisions (average age)

                0 - 6.9  - Peewee

                7.0 - 8.9 -Tiny Tot

                9.0 - 10.9  - Juvenile

                11.0 - 13.9 - Junior

                14.0 & over - Senior

     4.  Penalties:

        .2 drop of baton or other equipment        .1 alignment error

        .2 out of step                                                .1 unison error

        .2 fall                                                              .1 boundary error per person

                                                                            .1 per second under/overtime

5.  Any corps member may not compete in more than one unit in the same

        category and age bracket. (He/she may not compete against herself).

6.  Any corps may have auxiliary sections, but none is required.

7.  At TU International Competition, the floor boundaries will be 50 x 84.  

ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC RULES FOR MINI CORPS  

Corps may begin in any formation on or off the floor.  Timing and judging will begin with the first movement of any member or the first note of music, whichever is first, including the commanders.  Timing and judging will end with the last member stepping over the boundary line or the last note of the music, whichever is last.  Can use props.  

Time limit is 2 to 4 minutes; no minimum twirling time.

There are no formation requirements.

Penalties:  See General Rules

Score Sheet Categories: 25 points each

                                       Routine Content

                                          Twirling Precision and Unison

                                          Strutting/Bodywork Precision and Unison

                                          Overall Effectiveness

ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC RULES FOR STREET PARADE CORPS (INDOOR COMPETITION)

The corps will perform in a U formation beginning and exiting to the judge's left.  There is a constant 20 feet width for the entire U.  All members of the corps must stay within that boundary.  There is no spread beyond the 20 feet boundary allowed.  

The maximum time limit is 2 minutes - there is no undertime or minimum twirling time.  All members of the corps must cross the finish line in the allotted 2 minutes.  If any member remains on the floor after 2 minutes has passed a .1 per second penalty will be assessed.  Continuous footwork is not required but a general forward motion should be maintained to cover the required distance in the allotted time.  

Timing and judging will begin with the first movement or first note of music (including the commander), whichever is first.  Judging and penalties (excluding overtime) will end when the last member has crossed the finish line or when 2 minutes are up, whichever is first.  

Corps may use ½ length of the floor within the 20 foot boundary to set up in.  Can use novelty equipment, if desired.  

Score Sheet Categories: 25 points each

                Routine Content

                Twirling Precision and Unison

                Strutting Precision and Unison

                Overall Effectiveness  

ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC RULES FOR FLOOR CORPS

Corps may begin in any formation on or off the floor.  Timing and judging will begin with the first movement of any member or the first note of music (including the commander), whichever is first.  Timing and judging will end with the last member stepping over the boundary line or the last note of the music, whichever is last.  

Time Limit: 5-9 minutes.  There is no minimum twirling time.

Score Sheet Categories: 25 points each 

                                       Twirling Routine Content         

                                       Twirling Precision and Unison

                                       Overall Effectiveness

                                       Effectiveness of Maneuvering & Choreography

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Last Modified: June 22, 2011